gzip and gunzip in Linux CLI - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the gzip command do in Linux?

The gzip command compresses files to save disk space. It creates a smaller version of the file with a .gz extension.

beginner

How do you decompress a file named example.txt.gz using the command line?

You use the gunzip example.txt.gz command. It restores the original example.txt file by uncompressing it.

beginner

What happens to the original file after running gzip filename?

The original file is replaced by the compressed file filename.gz. The original file is removed to save space.

intermediate

How can you keep the original file after compressing it with gzip?

Use the -k option: gzip -k filename. This keeps the original file and creates a compressed copy.

intermediate

What is the difference between gunzip and gzip -d?

Both commands decompress files. gunzip is a shortcut for gzip -d. They work the same way.

Which command compresses a file named data.txt?

A gzip data.txt

B gunzip data.txt

C gzip -d data.txt

D gunzip -k data.txt

gzip data.txt compresses the file. The others decompress or use wrong options.

What file extension does gzip add to compressed files?

A .gz

B .tar

C .zip

D .gzip

gzip adds the .gz extension to compressed files.

How do you decompress a file named archive.gz?

A gzip archive.gz

B gunzip archive.gz

C gzip -k archive.gz

D gzip -c archive.gz

gunzip archive.gz decompresses the file to its original form.

Which option keeps the original file when compressing with gzip?

A -d

B -c

C -r

D -k

The -k option keeps the original file after compression.

What happens to the original file after running gzip filename without options?

A It stays unchanged

B It is copied to a backup folder

C It is deleted and replaced by compressed file

D It is renamed to filename.old

The original file is removed and replaced by the compressed filename.gz file.

Explain how to compress and decompress files using gzip and gunzip commands.

Think about what happens to the file before and after compression.

Describe the difference between using gunzip and gzip -d for decompression.

Consider command shortcuts and options.